The Sloan Consortium, MERLOT, and our Emerging Technologies steering committee welcome you to the 7th Annual Emerging Technologies for Online Learning International Symposium (ET4Online), which will be held in Dallas, TX on April 9-11, 2014.

This year, we move the conference to Dallas, a central location for those of you located in North America, which also provides an opportunity to visit the birthplace of the integrated computer circuit which made the information age possible. As we prepare to convene in the cradle of the digital era, it seems hard to believe that how swiftly society has been transformed by emerging technologies.

More than half of U.S. adults have become smartphone owners in just over six years, allowing most of us to stay connected, seek answers to our pressing questions, document our surroundings in photographs, record video, and share these media files instantly with a global audience — from anywhere at anytime. As emerging technologies continue to change the way people socialize and learn, it is lifting eyebrows in formalized education — some are curious, some are fascinated, some are skeptical, some are scared. None of these responses is right; none is wrong. No one is an expert today. We are all learners.

In the beautiful Sheraton Dallas Hotel, all of us will come together to share our ideas and learn from one another. You will be immersed in a learning culture for the duration of the conference. The experience will begin with a rich array of engaging, hands-on workshops to whet your appetite for practical applications of emerging technologies and then explore stimulating and concise sessions that keep the pace of the conference moving swiftly. These events will feature invited, featured sessions and general sessions representing emerging practices from educational institutions around the world.

Other unique features of ET4Online include the Launch Pad, which is back for the second year, comprised of educational technology entrepreneurs who will showcase their products and seek your expert feedback. These cutting edge entrepreneurs will be selected to participate in the Launch Pad through a competitive selection process. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to interact with them and learn about the technologies of tomorrow. Finally, the unconference on Friday is also returning. This is a non-traditional and inspirational way to wrap up your time at ET4Online. If you have never experienced an unconference, it’s the perfect opportunity to reflect on your conference experience with a shot of innovation and inspiration.

In Dallas, there is no shortage of fine dining but don’t miss other remarkable venues. Unwind as you explore the flora and fauna of the world in the Dallas World Aquarium and Rainforest; have dinner listening to live jazz on Thursday night in the cafe at the Dallas Museum of Art; or maybe you’d prefer sitting courtside at the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs game on Thursday evening? Or…arrive early and attend the NCAA Men’s Final 4 at Cowboys Stadium on April 5 and 7!

Members of the Steering Committee thank the many individuals who work tirelessly to transform a concept into a fabulous event each year. We thank those who submit proposals, review the proposals, organize the committees, volunteer their time, present, host as vendors, travel to Dallas, and make themselves available to solve challenges as they arise. Read more : Sloan Consortium, MERLOT